Bayonet retaining gun sight with handle function

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a rifle sight system which includes a bayonet mounting feature, allowing the bayonet to be used as a handle for carrying the rifle. The system includes a front portion with a front sight and a rear portion with a rear sight. A bayonet may be removably mounted to the system by attachment to the rear portion with the blade of the bayonet disposed in a saddle or receiver on the front portion. Upon attachment, the handle of the bayonet is accessible and positioned to be used as a handle for carrying the rifle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference all of the subject matter included in Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/156,449, which was filed May 4, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a multifunction gun sight assembly for a rifle.

BACKGROUND

While several storage systems for storing a bayonet on a rifle are known, one that allows the bayonet to be displayed while not in use and to be used as a handle for carrying the rifle would be an improvement in the art. Such a system that is combined with a sight system to reduce the amount of accessories needed for use on a rifle while having multiple functions would be a further improvement in the art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a rifle sight system which includes a bayonet mounting feature, allowing the bayonet to be used as a handle for carrying the rifle. The system includes a front portion with a front sight and a rear portion with a rear sight. A bayonet may be removably mounted to the system by attachment to the rear portion with the blade of the bayonet disposed in a saddle or receiver on the front portion. Upon attachment, the handle of the bayonet is accessible and positioned to be used as a handle for carrying the rifle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the various drawings are for illustrative purposes only. The nature of the present disclosure, as well as other embodiments in accordance with this disclosure, may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, to the appended claims, and to the several drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and rear perspective views of a system in accordance with the present disclosure showing a bayonet in a mounted and unmounted storage position.

FIG. 3 is a rear side perspective view of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the bayonet removed.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the system of FIGS. 1 through 3, in isolation from a rifle.

FIG. 5 is a front side perspective view of the components of the system of FIGS. 1 through 4, in isolation from a rifle.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a bayonet for use with a system in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems and methods related to multifunction sight systems for rifles. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described, while illustrative, are not intended to so limit this disclosure or the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will also understand that various combinations or modifications of the embodiments presented herein can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. All such alternate embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure. It will be further appreciated that differently sized components may be used for different embodiments as needed for particular uses.

Turning to FIGS. 1 through 5, a first embodiment of a system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted, as mounted on a rifle R in FIGS. 1 through 4. in the depicted embodiment, the rifle R is an AR-15 variant known as a “flat-top” having a picatinny rail for mounting accessories on its upper surface. It will be appreciated that the system 10 depicted is intended for use with AR series rifles having this configuration by slidable mounting to the picatinny rail, but that other embodiments for use with other rifles are contemplated, and may have different mounting structures for use on various rail systems and rifles that lack rails.

A front portion 102 may be formed as a body 200 having two generally symmetrical sides. On each side a base portion 210A or 210B is configured to engage the rifle R. In the depicted embodiment, each base 210A or 210B is configured to slidably engage with a picatinny rail on the inner lower surface and includes one or more connection ports 220B and/or 222B allowing a takedown pin or other connector to be inserted therethrough into a port 101 on the rail to retain the front portion 102 in the desired location. As best depicted in FIG. 5, the underside of body 200 may be shaped to correspond to the picatinny rail and include appropriate grooves and protrusions 253A and 253B for placement in the rail groove. It will be appreciated that the shape and connection features of the base portions may vary in different embodiments to allow connection to different rifles R, such as different shapes for different rail types or alternative connectors for rifles that do not have rails.

A medial guard member 202A or 202B extends from each base portion 210A or 210B rising upwards at either side to define an open saddle 204 therebetween. Each medial guard member may arise from a point near the rear of the base portion and extend towards the front of the front portion 102 to a front connection point. Near the rear end of the front portion 102, a rear connection member 205 connects the two base portions 210A and 210B to one other and determines the distance between the medial guard members 202A and 202B, thus the width of the rear opening of saddle 104.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 5, upon installation, the blade 502 portion of the bayonet 100 resides in the saddle portion 204 with the medial guard members 202A and 202B rising on either side thereof to prevent incidental contact with the blade. The guard members 202A and 202B are of sufficient height and positioned a sufficient distance to allow insertion of the bayonet, but prevent such inadvertent contact. In the depicted embodiment, each medial guard member is formed as an upwardly extending arc, with an open portion underneath allowing the blade to be viewed. It will be appreciated in other embodiments, the guard members may be formed as a solid member without the open portion, or may be formed from multiple individual members that are joined together to give a desired appearance.

A front guard member 208A or 208B extends from each base portion 210A or 210B rising upwards at either side to define the front portion of the open saddle 204 therebetween. Each front guard member may arise from a point near the front of the base portion and extend rearwards towards the rear portion. As depicted, the front guard member may connect to the medial guard member 202 at a guard member connection point. Near the front end of the front portion 102, a front connection member 207 connects the two base portions 210A and 210B to one another and determines the distance between the front guard members 208A and 208B and thus the width of the front opening of saddle 204.

As depicted in FIG. 1A, upon installation, the front portion of the blade 502 portion of the bayonet 100 resides in the saddle portion 204 with the front guard members 208A and 208B rising on either side thereof to prevent incidental contact with the blade. The front of the guard members 208A and 208B is even with or forward of the tip of the blade 502. Front guard members 202A and 202B are of sufficient height and positioned at a sufficient distance to allow insertion of the bayonet, but prevent such inadvertent contact. In the depicted embodiment, each front guard member is formed as an upwardly extending arc, with an open portion underneath allowing the blade to be viewed. It will be appreciated in other embodiments, the guard members maybe formed as a solid member without the open portion, or may be formed from multiple individual members that are joined together to give a desired appearance.

At an upper end, an upper bridge member 212 joins the front guard members 208A and 208B to one another and serves as an upper guard over the installed blade 502. A sight member 214 is disposed on the upper bridge member and may be used for aiming the rifle R. In the depicted embodiments, the sight member 214 is a pin which serves as front sight for “open” gun sights. It will be appreciated that other suitable structures or sight features may be used. For example, a column or a wall that runs parallel to a long axis of the rifle R, or as otherwise known to those of skill in the art.

It will be appreciated that instead of front and rear connecting members 205 and 207, the body 200 may have a single connecting member that extends along the entire length thereof to provide a floor for the saddle 204, or multiple connecting members along the length of the saddle.

A medial portion 104 may be formed as a body 300 having two generally symmetrical opposite lower flanges 310A and 310B configured to engage the rifle R. In the depicted embodiment, the each lower flange 310A or 310B is configured to slidably engage with a picatinny rail on the inner lower surface and include appropriate grooves and protrusions 353A and 353B for placement in the rail groove. One or more connection ports 320B pass through body allowing a takedown pin or other connector to be inserted therethrough into a port 101 on the rail to retain the medial portion 104 in the desired location. As depicted, a connection port 320B may include a recessed portion to retain the head of a threaded connector where bolts or screws are used for connection to the rail. It will be appreciated that the shape and connection features of the body may vary in different embodiments to allow connection to different rifles R.

The upper surface of the body 300 has a seat 322 for receiving the front attachment portion 512 of a bayonet 100. In the depicted embodiment, the seat 322 is defined by two opposite securing members 324A and 324B, each rising from a side of the body 300 with an inner sidewall facing the opposite member to define a seat therebetween. A floor of the seat may be defined by a recess in the body 300 upper surface between the securing members 324A and 324B. Each securing member 324A and 324B has a securing port 326A and 326B disposed therein in alignment, which allows a takedown pin to be placed therethrough and retained across the seat 322.

A rear portion 106 may be formed as a body 400 having two generally symmetrical opposite lower flanges 410A and 410B configured to engage the rifle R. In the depicted embodiment, each lower flange 410A or 410B is configured to slidably engage with a picatinny rail on the inner lower surface and may include appropriate grooves and protrusions 453A and 453B for placement in the rail groove, as well as one or more connection ports 420B allowing a connector to be inserted therethrough into a port 101 on the rail to retain the rear portion 106 in the desired location. It will be appreciated that the shape and connection features of the body may vary in different embodiments to allow connection to different rifles R.

The front upper portion of the body 400 has a seat 424 for receiving the rear attachment portion 514 of a bayonet 100. In the depicted embodiment, the seat 424 is defined by two opposite attachment members 430A and 430B, each extending forward from a side of the body 400 with an inner sidewall facing the opposite member to define a seat therebetween. A floor of the seat may be defined by a flat or recessed surface between the attachment members 430A and 4304B. A back surface of the seat may be defined by a generally vertical wall extending between the attachment members 430A and 430B. Each attachment member 430A and 430B has a securing port disposed therein in alignment (as depicted at 432B), which allows a takedown pin to be placed therethrough and retained across the seat 424.

At an upper end of the body 400, two opposite symmetrical sidewalls 402A and 402B may define a sight seat 404. A rear sight structure 408 may be disposed in the sight seat and may be used for aiming the rifle R. In the depicted embodiments, the rear sight structure 408 is a ring sight disposed atop a column extending upwards from a floor of the sight seat, which serves as a rear sight for “open” gun sights when used in connection with the front sight pin or column. It will be appreciated that other suitable structures or sight features may be used. For example, a wall that has a V shaped notch or rectangular notch may be used, a rear sight assembly with adjustment features, a mounting structure for a scope or other sight, or other structures known to those of skill in the art may be used.

Turning to FIG. 6, the bayonet 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B is depicted in isolation. The bayonet 100 includes a front blade portion configured as a knife blade and a rear handle portion 504. The handle portion 504 may include a shank 506 that is continuous with the blade portion 502 which is disposed in a channel in a separate handle assembly 508.

At a lower front end of the handle assembly 508, the front attachment portion 512 may be formed as a downwardly extending flange with a port 513 passing generally orthogonally therethrough. The front attachment portion is sized and configured for placement in the seat 322 of the medial portion 104 with the port 513 in alignment with the securing ports 326A and 326B to allow a takedown pin to be placed therethrough retaining the front attachment portion in the seat 322.

At a rear end of the handle assembly 508, the rear attachment portion 514 may be formed as a port 515 passing generally orthogonally through the handle assembly 508. The rear attachment portion is sized and configured for placement in the seat 424 of the rear portion 106 with the port 515 in alignment with the securing ports 432A and 432B to allow a takedown pin to be placed therethrough retaining the rear attachment portion in the seat 424. It will be appreciated that in addition to take down pins other suitable connectors may be used.

The handle assembly 508 may further include an upper ring 505 for placement over the barrel of the rifle in mounting in deployed bayonet position, and the rear of handle assembly 508 may include structures for attachment to a bayonet mounting structure disposed under the barrel of the rifle adjacent the front end.

In the depicted embodiment, the handle assembly 508 may further include side portions 520 which are formed as picatinny rails, allowing for the attachment of additional accessories to the bayonet. This provides a means to attach other accessories to the rifle R.

The medial and rear portions 104 and 106 and the front and rear attachment portions 512 and 514 are all configured such that upon securing the bayonet 100 in the system 10, the handle 504 portion is spaced apart from the top surface of the rifle R a sufficient distance to allow a user to grasp the handle 504 and use it to lift and carry the rifle. When the user wishes to deploy the bayonet 100, the take down pins (or other connectors) can be simply removed a sufficient distance to release the handle 504 and the bayonet lifted out of the seats and saddle for use. When finished, it can be placed back in the proper position and secured in place.

It will be further appreciated, that although depicted as a three piece system, embodiments with two portions, in which the front and medial portions or the rear and medial portions are combined in a single piece are contemplated, as are systems where all three portions are combined into a single piece. However, it will be appreciated that the multiple piece assemblies may allow for use with different bayonets having different blade sizes and handle lengths, by simple adjustment of the placement on the rifle.

While this disclosure has been described using certain embodiments, it can be further modified while keeping within its spirit and scope. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practices in the art to which it pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system, comprising: a rear portion with a rear sight and a rear seat for retaining a rear portion of a bayonet handle; a medial portion with a medial seat for retaining a second portion of a bayonet handle; and a front portion with a front sight and a groove defined by opposite members such that upon placement of the rear portion of a bayonet handle in the rear seat and the second portion of the bayonet handle in the medial seat, a blade portion of the bayonet resides in the groove with the opposite members on either side of the blade portion.
 2. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 1, wherein the rear portion, medial portion, and front portion each includes at least one base configured for slidable connection to a picatinny rail.
 3. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 1, wherein the rear portion, medial portion, and front portion are each formed as a separate body for individual attachment to a rifle.
 4. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 1, wherein the rear seat is defined by two attachment members extending forward from a body portion, each attachment member including a connection port aligned with the opposite attachment member.
 5. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 4, wherein the rear sight comprises a ring sight.
 6. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 1, wherein the medial seat is defined by two securing members extending upwards from a body portion, each securing member including a connection port aligned with the opposite securing member.
 7. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 6, wherein the medial seat is further defined by a recess in the body portion of the medial portion disposed between the opposite securing members.
 8. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 1, wherein the opposite members include opposite front members disposed on either side of the front portion adjacent a front of the front portion and extending rearwards to connect to opposite side members that extend towards the rear of front portion.
 9. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 1, wherein the front sight is disposed on a bridge member connected to the opposite members, which is positioned to reside over the blade portion of a bayonet residing in the groove defined by the opposite members.
 10. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 1, wherein the front sight comprises a pin sight.
 11. A combination rifle and bayonet carrying system, comprising: a bayonet having a blade portion and a handle portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a front connection structure and a rear connection structure; a rear carrier comprising a rear base for attachment to a rifle and a rear seat for securing the rear connection structure of the bayonet; a medial carrier comprising a medial base for attachment to a rifle and a medial seat for securing the front connection structure of the bayonet; and a front carrier with a at least one lower base for attachment to rifle and a groove defined by opposite members such when the bayonet is secured in the rear seat and medial seat, the blade portion of the bayonet resides in the groove with the opposite members on either side of the blade portion.
 12. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 11, wherein the rear carrier, medial carrier and bayonet handle are configured so that upon securing the bayonet in the rear seat and medial seat, the bayonet handle resides above an upper surface of the rifle allowing it to be used as handle for carrying the rifle.
 13. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 11, wherein the rear base, medial base and at least one lower base are all configured for slidable connection to a picatinny rail disposed on an upper surface of a rifle.
 14. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 11, wherein the rear base, medial base and at least one lower base are each formed as a separate body for individual attachment to a rifle.
 15. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 11, wherein the rear seat is defined by two attachment members extending forward from a body portion of the rear carrier, each attachment member including a connection port aligned with the opposite attachment member.
 16. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 11, wherein the medial seat is defined by two securing members extending upwards from a body portion of the medial carrier, each securing member including a connection port aligned with the opposite securing member.
 17. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 16, wherein the medial seat is further defined by a recess in the body portion of the medial portion disposed between the opposite securing members.
 18. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 11, wherein the opposite members include opposite front members disposed on either side of the front carrier adjacent a front of the front carrier and extending rearwards to connect to opposite side members that extend towards the rear of the front carrier.
 19. The combination rifle and bayonet carrying system of claim 18, further comprising a front sight member disposed on a bridge member connected to the opposite members of the front carrier and a rear sight disposed on the rear carrier.
 20. The combination rifle sight and bayonet carrying system of claim 19, wherein the rear sight comprises a ring sight. 